Gift and method of providing same

ABSTRACT

A gift that includes simulated pharmaceutical packaging which presents a humorous or thoughtful interplay between the packaging and the surprise contents within the packaging. The packaging includes at least a container and a lid which are substantially opaque to at least partially obscure the contents of the container from plain view. The container is accompanied by written material, applied to the container and/or a bag in which the container may be placed, and the written material is used to set up the interplay with the surprise contents. The invention further includes a method of providing such a gift.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to novelty gifts and methods ofproviding amusement. More particularly, the invention relates to aunique form of a “get well” gift that includes simulated pharmaceuticalpackaging which presents a humorous or thoughtful interplay between thepackaging and the surprise contents within the packaging, as well as amethod of providing the gift.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Novelty gifts and greeting cards are quite common, including in thecontext of providing a “get well” gift. However, such gifts typicallytake the form of a greeting card bearing a sympathetic or humorousmessage, or simply a conventional gift item, in hope of raising thespirits of the person who is ill or injured. There exist other types ofnovelty gifts with unconventional packaging but which are notnecessarily intended to be given to a patient or ill individual. Suchgifts may seek to provide items with a particular theme.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,658 discloses a simulated baby bottlegift package. The package is in the form of a clear plastic, easy toopen baby bottle, that can house gifts for a small child.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,981 discloses a bottle in the form of a bottle foran alcoholic beverage that is intended to serve as a “gag” gift. Thebottle contains a colored liquid and a clear or tinted seal located inthe neck of the bottle, spaced from the opening. The colored liquidsimulates the alcohol, while the seal in the neck prevents the pouringof the liquid from the bottle, to the surprise of the individual thatopens the bottle but cannot access its contents.

In a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,699 discloses a humorous deskaccessory for holding typical desk implements, such as pens and pencils.The desk accessory openly bears inscriptions of brand name prescriptionmedications and has non-toxic materials for limited consumption.

Also, available to consumers is a line of products from InnovativeConcept Marketing Ltd. which includes bottles of candy, bearing jokesbased on common slang terminology. For instance, the bottles look like acommon clear plastic aspirin bottle and a person can plainly see thebottle contains small candies in place of the pills. The bottles bearlabels that present a humorous message based on a phrase or theme, suchas “Couch Potato Pills”, but do not present any surprise in relation tothe contents of the bottle.

It is very common for one who is ill, injured or hospitalized to receivea gift or “get well” card from family or friends, as well asprescription medications from a doctor. It is desirable to have analternative to the all too common conventional greeting card or gift. Italso is desirable to present a gift that provides some surprise and/oramusement for the recipient. It is further desirable to provide such agift which also incorporates the context of providing medication for therecipient.

The present invention addresses shortcomings in prior art “get well”gifts, while providing the above mentioned desirable features in aunique gift format, as well as a method of providing the gift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the invention will be set forth in andapparent from the description and drawings that follow, as well as willbe learned by practice of the invention.

The present invention is generally embodied in a gift that includessimulated pharmaceutical packaging which presents a humorous orthoughtful interplay between the packaging and the surprise contentswithin the packaging.

In a first aspect of the invention, a gift includes a substantiallyopaque container and a substantially opaque lid that engages thecontainer. The chosen container and lid resemble a pharmaceuticalpackage. Disposed in the container is at least one surprise item.Accompanying the container is written material that has an interplaywith the at least one surprise item in the container.

In a second aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned container withlid and at least one surprise item are placed in a bag.

In a third aspect of the invention, a method of providing a giftincludes selecting a substantially opaque container, selecting asubstantially opaque lid that engages the container, selecting at leastone surprise item and placing the at least one surprise item in thecontainer. The lid is then engaged with and closes the container. Thecontainer further includes written material presenting an interplay withthe at least one surprise item.

Thus, the present invention presents an alternative to the typical “getwell” card or gift, and plays off the fact that medicines are oftenprescribed for an illness or injury. Written material may be directlyprinted on the container or presented on a label that is attached to thecontainer, or may be directly printed on or attached by means of a labelto a bag that holds the container and lid. The written material ischosen to correspond to the surprise contents in the container, and isintended to incorporate a humorous or thoughtful interplay with thecontents in the container. The container may resemble a pharmaceuticalbottle or box, and the written material may include a fictitiouspharmacy name and a description or instructions relating to the surprisecontents in the container. The substantially opaque nature of thecontainer and lid at least partially obscure the container contents fromplan view and help set the stage for the surprise. A bag also may beused to assist in providing packaging that, at first glance, resemblesmedicine from a pharmacy, as well as to address the gift and/or furtherset the stage for the surprise. In this respect, the bag may betransparent or substantially opaque.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and provided forpurposes of explanation only, and are not restrictive of the invention,as claimed. Further features and objects of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent in the following description of the preferredembodiment and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like referencenumerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior of a substantially opaquecontainer, having a label on a semi-transparent plastic bottle, with asubstantially opaque lid and written material on the container settingup a surprise or joke based on the unforeseen contents of the container.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternative substantially opaque container,having a non-transparent container with an upper edge having tabs foruse with a twist-type locking lid, and without any written material onthe container.

FIG. 3 is a further plan view of a substantially opaque container likethat of FIG. 2, but having an upper edge adapted for use with a snap-fitsubstantially opaque lid and showing labels on the container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a substantially opaque container like thatof FIGS. 1 and 3, but showing at least one surprise item in thecontainer which completes the joke set up by the written material on theexterior of the container or on a bag.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a container with anintegrally hinged lid.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bag in which the assembled container, lid andat least one surprise item may be placed as a further accessory orportion of the packaging to be included in an aspect of the humorous orthoughtful gift.

It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale. Whileconsiderable mechanical details of a container and lid structure,including details of fastening means and other plan and section views ofthe particular components, have been omitted, such details are not perse part of the present invention and are considered well within thecomprehension of those skilled in the art in light of the presentdisclosure. It also should be understood that the present invention isnot limited to the preferred embodiments illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-6, it will be appreciated that the giftand method of providing a gift of the present invention generally may beembodied within numerous configurations.

Referring to a preferred embodiment in FIG. 1, a gift 10 is shown, whichincludes a container 12, with a lid 14 that engages container 12.Container 12 and lid 14 may be made of any suitable materials, each maybe formed of more than one piece and of more than one material, but theyare preferably made of plastic and are substantially opaque whenassembled. In the context of this invention, substantially opaque meansthat the materials at least partially obscure one's view of the contentsof the container, which can be more clearly identified when thecontainer is opened. It will be appreciated that substantially opaquecontemplates materials that provide at least a partially obstructedview, may range from semi-transparent up to and including materials thatwould be completely opaque, or any other combination of materials.Therefore, the materials may present any form of at least partialobstruction to ones view, including such forms as having color, or afrosted or etched appearance, or being made of fibrous material, orincluding a label or liner that is not transparent.

To most appropriately capture the spirit of the invention, it ispreferable that container 12 be made of the plastic used inamber-colored, light-sensitive pharmaceutical bottles, or of a materialbearing a resemblance thereto, and that the container bear acorresponding label. Similarly, lid 14 may be made of any type ofmaterial which is substantially opaque, and preferably is made of thewhite plastic commonly used in lids for the aforementionedpharmaceutical bottles, or of a material bearing a resemblance thereto.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that container 12 and lid 14 may haveany one of many types of corresponding structures that will allow lid 14to engage and close container 12. For instance, shown in FIG. 2 oncontainer 12 are locking tabs 16 which are configured to engagecorresponding structures on lid 14 to lock the two components togetherwhen closed. Such locking devices may take the form of child-proofstructures, so as to prevent children from opening container 12, or maybe of less sophisticated structure, such as with threaded engagement. Asa further example, shown in FIG. 3 on container 12 is a flange 18 whichis configured to engage and snap-fit to a suitably adapted lid, notshown.

It is further contemplated that reference to a container and a lid mayinclude embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, having a containerand a lid permanently attached together or molded so as to be of acontinuous structure, such as with an integral web or hinge betweenthem. Such containers are quite commonly found in the form of acardboard box or a plastic container with an integral hinge and lid.

Container 12 of gift 10 further contains at least one surprise item 20which is shown, for example, as a miniature four-legged stool in thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 4. The surprise item may be of virtuallyany type of product and in any form, including solid, liquid, gas, aloneor in any combination thereof. Moreover, while stated in the singularfor convenience, it should be appreciated that “surprise item” in thecontext of this invention certainly may encompass a plurality.

An integral part of the invention is the inclusion of written materialto set up the joke or thoughtful gesture provided by the gift. Thewritten material accompanies the container. Thus, one form of suchwritten material 22 may be provided on the container 12, by printing orother suitable method of application to a label, as shown in FIG. 1, ordirectly to container 12, as shown in FIG. 5. Another form of suchwritten material 24 may be similarly provided on a label or by directapplication to a bag 26 in which the assembled container, lid andsurprise item are placed, as shown in FIG. 6. Bag 26 may be of anysuitable material, such as paper or plastic, and may be transparent butpreferably is substantially opaque, so as to further portray an actualprescription package and to assist in setting the stage for the joke orthoughtful gesture experienced by the recipient upon opening the bag 26and container 12.

The written material need not be limited to one location, or only be ona label or on container 12 or bag 26, individually. Additional writtenmaterial 28, such as on the label in FIG. 3, may be used to enhance thesurprise or the awareness that the gift is not an actual prescriptioncontainer, and if the gift includes a bag 26, then written material maybe provided on container 12, as well as bag 26. In addition, writtenmaterial will be understood as not limited to alphabetic or numericcharacters and it is contemplated that such written material may includeany variety of other graphic representations or designs.

The nature of the invention calls for an interplay between the at leastone surprise item 20 or contents of container 12 and the writtenmaterial accompanying container 12, by appearing on container 12 and/orbag 26. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, where in FIG. 1,label 22 is intended to state “The Funny Pharmacy not your regularmedicine. Something for you in case the doctor needs one. A stoolsample.” FIG. 4 then shows a surprise item 20, a miniature four-leggedstool, that would be placed in container 12 and at least partiallyobscured from view. Thus, upon opening lid 14, the recipient wouldexperience the amusement provided by finding surprise item 20 whichcompletes the intended joke. Bag 26, as shown in FIG. 6, could be usedto build suspense and/or to facilitate addressing the gift to theintended recipient. The portion of written material 24 shown in FIG. 6as printed directly on bag 26, stating, “The Funny Pharmacy not yourregular medicine” and “Get Well Wishes” accompanies container 12 and isintended to provide notice that the packaging does not contain regularprescription medicine, while serving to peak the curiosity of therecipient. The written material 24 on bag 26 may be specifically relatedto the at least one surprise item 20 in container 12, or may serve as acommon prelude for a variety of different humorous or thoughtfulgestures that are more specifically set up between the written material22 on container 12 and the contents of container 12, namely the at leastone surprise item 20.

The method of providing a gift 10 in accordance with the presentinvention includes selecting a substantially opaque container 12 bearingwritten material and a substantially opaque lid 14 that engagescontainer 12. It will be appreciated that container 12 may be of anyshape or size, including an extremely large container to enclose, forexample, a large stuffed animal. The method further includes selectingat least one surprise item and placing the at least one surprise item inthe container. Thus, it may be appropriate for container 12 to house alarge stuffed teddy bear, if for example, the written material and getwell wishes include a prescription for a hug. As noted previously, andas will be readily understood in the context of this disclosure, the atleast one surprise item may be a plurality of items, such as candies ofa specific type that would set up a surprise and correspond to thewritten material on the container 12 and/or bag 26.

Once the at least one surprise item 20 is placed in container 12, themethod includes engaging the lid 14 with container 12. This may involveclosing container 12 with a separate lid or an integral hinged lid. Thewritten material on container 12 presents an interplay with surpriseitem 20 in container 12. The written material may be applied directly tothe container or to a label that is affixed to the container. There areno particular boundaries to the humorous or thoughtful gesture that maybe set up by the interplay between the written material and the at leastone surprise item 20. The method may further include selecting a bag 26and placing in bag 26 the previously assembled container 12, lid 14, andat least one surprise item 20. Moreover, a bag 26 may be selected withwritten material directly applied thereto, or such written material maybe applied by application of a label which bears written material.Finally, it will be appreciated that the method steps need not befollowed specifically in the order presented in the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the gift and method of providing such giftin accordance with the present invention may be provided in variousconfigurations. Any variety of suitable materials of construction,configurations, shapes and sizes for the containers, lids, and/or bagsmay be used in the packaging to satisfy the particular needs andrequirements of an end user. It also should be understood that a varietyof items of various construction, configurations, shapes and sizes mayserve as the surprise contents to complete the humorous or thoughtfulgesture associated with the gift. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art that various modifications can be made in the design andconstruction of such a gift without departing from the scope or spiritof the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

1. A gift comprising: a substantially opaque container and asubstantially opaque lid that engages the container wherein thecontainer and lid resemble a pharmaceutical package; at least onesurprise item disposed in the container; and written material thataccompanies the container, wherein the written material has an interplaywith the at least one surprise item in the container.
 2. A gift inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the written material is applieddirectly to the container.
 3. A gift in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe written material is on at least a label attached to the container.4. A gift in accordance with claim 1, wherein the written material is onat least a bag in which the container is placed.
 5. A gift in accordancewith claim 1, wherein at least some of the written material is on atleast a label attached to the container and at least some of the writtenmaterial is on at least a bag in which the container is placed.
 6. Agift in accordance with claim 1, wherein the container is or resembles alight-sensitive pharmaceutical bottle.
 7. A gift in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the lid and container have compatible lockingstructures that engage when the lid is rotated relative to thecontainer.
 8. A gift in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lid andcontainer have compatible snap-fit structures.
 9. A gift in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the container and lid are joined by an integralhinge.
 10. A gift comprising: a substantially opaque container and asubstantially opaque lid that engages the container wherein thecontainer and lid resemble a pharmaceutical package; at least onesurprise item disposed in the container; a bag in which the container isplaced; and written material that accompanies the container, wherein thewritten material has an interplay with the at least one surprise item inthe container.
 11. A gift in accordance with claim 10, wherein thewritten material is applied directly to the container.
 12. A gift inaccordance with claim 10, wherein the written material is on at least alabel attached to the container.
 13. A gift in accordance with claim 10,wherein the written material is on at least the bag in which thecontainer is placed.
 14. A gift in accordance with claim 10, wherein thecontainer is or resembles a light-sensitive pharmaceutical bottle.
 15. Agift in accordance with claim 10, wherein the container and lid arejoined by an integral hinge.
 16. A method of providing a gift comprisingthe steps of: selecting a substantially opaque container andsubstantially opaque lid; selecting at least one surprise item andplacing the at least one surprise item in the container; engaging thelid with the container; and wherein the container is accompanied bywritten material that presents an interplay with the at least onesurprise item.
 17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein thewritten material is on a label that is applied to the container.
 18. Amethod in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the step ofselecting a bag and placing in the bag the previously assembledcontainer, lid, and at least one surprise item.
 19. A method inaccordance with claim 18, wherein the step of selecting a bag furthercomprises selecting a bag bearing written material presenting aninterplay with the at least one surprise item in the container.
 20. Amethod in accordance with claim 18, further comprising the step ofattaching to the bag a label bearing written material presenting aninterplay with the at least one surprise item in the container.
 21. Amethod in accordance with claim 16, wherein the step of selecting asubstantially opaque container and substantially opaque lid furthercomprises selecting a container and lid that have an integral hinge thatjoins the container and lid.
 22. A method in accordance with claim 16,wherein the step of selecting a substantially opaque container andsubstantially opaque lid further comprises selecting a container thatresembles a light-sensitive pharmaceutical bottle.